1.   Some regional political and relief experts say the test of wills also presents a major opportunity for American policy toward North Korea.

2.   It has no agenda and informally discusses regional political and security issues during closed sessions.

3.   The US official was to meet Hiroshi Fukuda, the deputy Japanese foreign minister, on Friday for regular US-Japan consultations on regional political and security matters.

4.   The US official was to meet Hiroshi Fukuda, the deputy Japanese foreign minister, on Friday for consultations on regional political and security matters.